APOCALYPSE (A Lyrical Montage) --- This song started life in the early 70s as a political protest song. It failed to achieve that purpose. But the core of the idea stuck with me. Somewhere along the way I was told John Lennon had wanted to write a song with a single note melody, but that song idea eventually became I am the Walrus. Although the story is likely to be urban legend I loved the idea. After all, Beethoven had done it with his 7thSymphony; 2ndMovement. Lyrically I drew inspiration from many of the popular ‘end-of-the-world’ songs of the era. It was the Age of Nuclear Phobia and the Vietnam War, Kent State and the Black Panthers. In the mid-Seventies I pulled the song out of mothballs and rethought its themes, framing it in a Christian context, what I termed Pre-Evangelism, a phrase I had acquired from Francis Schaeffer. It became a staple when I performed.
In preparation for this version I updated a few of the metaphors to make them timelier and more relevant. Jay Spurling and I often performed this song as an acoustic duo. I called him on a whim and asked if he still remembered the guitar solo he wrote for this song. Much to my surprise and delight he said he did. So, with very little coaxing he resurrected it and performs it here. And, again, like the old days he joined me on vocals.
Chris Childress -- Drums. Mastering at Even Steven Productions (ESP) in Pinellas Park, Fl., by Glenn Laubaugh.